Gov. Quinn praises pension legislation

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Pat Quinn says the people of Illinois have won after lawmakers approved a major overhaul aimed at solving the state's $100 billion pension crisis.

In a Tuesday statement, Quinn calls it "landmark legislation" that will ensure retirement security.

The Chicago Democrat has made pension reform a top priority for two years, but efforts had been unsuccessfully including previous special sessions and his social media campaign. More recently, Quinn had refused to take a paycheck until lawmakers came up with a comprehensive solution.

The Illinois House and Senate approved a bill that's estimated to save roughly $160 billion over the next three decades.

However, unions were opposed to the measure, calling it unfair and questioning its legality.